MLB on Thursday "handed down one of the more severe penalties for an executive in recent memory, announcing a 30-day suspension without pay" for Padres Exec VP & GM A.J. Preller, according to a front-page piece by Dennis Lin of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. The punishment was "levied as the result of an investigation into the Padres’ handling of medical information related to the July 14 trade" that sent P Drew Pomeranz to the Red Sox. Sources said that at least three teams who made trades with the Padres this season -- the Red Sox, Marlins and White Sox -- "expressed displeasure over what they believed to be deliberate withholding of information that is typically exchanged before a deal is consummated." Padres Exec Chair Ron Fowler, co-Owner Peter Seidler and President & CEO Mike Dee in a joint statement said, "We are obviously disappointed that we will lose A.J.’s services for 30 days, but will work closely with him upon his reinstatement to ensure that this unfortunate set of circumstances does not happen again.” Sources said that the Padres "have no plans to fire Preller or impose further discipline." Preller was "previously suspended by MLB" while he was the Assistant GM of the Rangers for an issue "relating to international signing rules" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/16). ESPN.com's Buster Olney notes the Red Sox, Marlins and White Sox were "enraged by what they perceived to be strategic deception: veiling medical information that could have been pivotal in trade discussions." Sources said that at least "one other team reached out to the commissioner's office with a complaint" (ESPN.com, 9/16).
MLB NOT TAKING IT LIGHTLY: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes for MLB, this is "one of its harshest penalties against a club general manager in baseball history." Preller "becomes the first non-uniformed personnel publicly suspended since" late Reds Owner Marge Schott (USA TODAY, 9/16). MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal said, "It's rare that you hear about any executive suspended ... and clearly when you have two infractions by the same guy, I would imagine MLB has (Preller) on double-secret probation of sorts" ("MLB Tonight," MLB Network, 9/15). ESPN's Jim Bowden said, "I find it very clear that the commissioner's office feels like A.J. Preller specifically had the intent of deceiving the Red Sox." Bowden: "The ramification for me going forward is there are going to be GMs that are going to question his integrity. ... This is a huge issue right now, not only for A.J. and the Padres but really for all of baseball" ("Baseball Tonight," ESPN2, 9/15).
SWING AND A MISS: In San Diego, Bryce Miller writes the "damage is done for the Padres -- wagging fingers, organizational stain and all." No matter what happens moving forward after the suspension, the "stench of mistrust is assaulting front-office nostrils coast to coast." Miller: "This stretches beyond whether you believe the Padres about the lack of malicious intent. This is about Preller’s ability to do his job, leading the organization’s massive transformation in the international market and beyond." The concerns about the operation under Preller’s watch are "beginning to feel more and more deserved," as his job "could be in jeopardy." Miller: "And if it’s not, that begs a question for those making that decision: Why not?" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/16).
